Don't Jump Ship!

Because I had the baby! Gumdrop was born November 24th at 12:19 pm. Although 5 weeks early he weighed 7 lbs. 2 Oz. Pretty great weight for a 34 wk 5 day gestation baby. Unfortunately we have yet to leave the hospital and it's not due to him being a "preemie", which I think is too general of a term to use because he doesn't fit those "characteristics". Nope we are still here due to mama. I'm have some complications due to Pre E (I'll explain later on) and now the Docs are trying to get my blood pressure down as well as liver enzymes. If your on Facebook, congrats are welcomed but please don't mention anything about me still being here/ or my condition. Weird I know I'm sharing information with the "world" but I wanna stay "private" on there. Don't ask just roll with it lol! So now is the time I'm asking my readers for positive vibes that my body goes back into working order and I'm released. I leave you with a picture of Gumdrop or should I say:

PROUD TO INTRODUCE DONOVAN NOAH

Can't say how soon I'll be back but don't leave us now it's just getting good!

Friday Survey

Sorry this post is coming so late in the day! I received the new battery for my laptop for it to only start smoking on me within the hour! Apparently the power cord has some exposed wires. I now need to order a new cord in addition to the new battery I just brought...don't you hate when that happens?! Well I have a fully booked weekend, tomorrow I have breast feeding and a baby care basics class which I'm really excited about.  Also hubs job is throwing him a baby shower at work (isn't that sweet) so I'm looking forward to what he comes home with. Sunday hubs and I are going to the second hospital tour and will make our decision. We are leaning towards the hospital hubs works at because it's closer to the house and we should get some perks with him being an employee there. So those are my weekend plans, hope yours is filled with fun, relaxing and everything else!

How far along?: 34 weeks!


How big is baby?: As a pineapple! The actual weigh is thrown off since I was told he was 5lbs 1 oz two wks ago, I have no idea what he weighs

Stretch marks?: Yes !

Maternity clothes?: It's getting ridiculous since I'm measuring ahead my belly is HUGE (you seen the pics). I'm really trying not to buy anymore because I only have a short time left. I think its time to raid hubs closet!

Sleep?: It could always be better

Best moment this week?: How about worst moment this week; the O.B. lost my urine from my 24 hr test, mind you this was over 2 wks ago so guess what that means, I get the pleasure of having to do it Sunday. Such a pain! I was pissed when she told me this on Thursday.

Food cravings?: Food lol!
Gender?: Mommy's little (or should I say big) man!

Movement?: Lots of rolling, some punches but mostly he's trying to get comfy.

Belly button?: In but getting more swallow, it's also tender in the area

What I miss?: My feet are itchy! Man I can't wait until this swelling goes down. Oh and carpal tunnel has come on with a vengeance!

Labor signs?: No...and stay away for a while!

What I'm looking forward to?: Thanksgiving!!! Do you realize how good I'm going to eat that day ;)

Milestone?: Still head down, making it closer to full term!

Etsy Finds

I love all things Etsy as many of us do! It's such a wonderful site that I came upon when planning my wedding. There are so talented vendors on this site who can create practically anything. I've been browsing the baby parts of the sites and recently ordered two items that Gumdrop (well I) couldn't live without. First up is this adorable newborn bear hat. It's going to be his first hat in the hospital and I plan on him wearing it for his newborn photoshoot.

Here's a better picture from the Etsy site

You can visit the vendor WeeBeeUniquesByJuile

Up next is designer burp cloths which probably aren't necessary but still are too cute! This cloths are very thick and well made. The vendor uses tons of fabrics, prints etc. These will probably be used when we go outside the house to family functions, special occasions.

You can find these at PLM Dezigns

 I've just started my etsy obsession for the baby as I have a few other things I want to purchase before he arrives. So if your looking for something handmade, unique and fun I suggest you go over to Etsy.com (by the way I haven't been paid for this review I just wanted to share an awesome site I shop on)

KING OF THE JUNGLE SHOWER

I want to share a few pictures from my shower last weekend. I wish better pictures were taken of the details (I love all things detailed) but these must do. Overall the shower was great, we did have about 12 people who RSVP'd and did not show (nice..insert sarcasm). We didn't get a lot off our registry (only about 7 things). We also did a diaper raffle but the turn out wasn't great with that. I ended up getting a case of diapers and 6 jumbo packs of diapers. So that left me with a lot of things to get (basics and necessities), which I was thankfully able to purchase most of it with gift cards I received. I will say how grateful I am for the things we did get because it was more than what we started with.

 One word of advice for future mommies is to buy along the way. Please don't listen to people when they say "Wait for your baby shower" because you may end up disappointed and left having to buy lots of things in a short amount of time. I love deals so having to pay full price for things I need makes me cringe! Luckily whenever I saw an awesome deal I didn't pass it up and it worked out well because it was something I didn't receive at the shower anyways. Well here are the pics (I must stop now my carpal tunnel is acting up)

Hubs & I

Cake Table

MOH & Friend

Closeup of centerpieces

Opening Gifts

Fruit Table

Guests (don't ask why this is in b&w)

Closeup of belly!

Diaper Cake

Friday Survey!

So I ordered a new battery for my laptop today and hopefully it will arrive sometime next week so I can get back to posting more. I have plans to go with my mom tomorrow to pick up more things we didn't receive from the shower. Other than that it will be a chill weekend. Hope you all have a great one! Catch you on Monday (fingers crossed)!

How far along?: 33 weeks!
How big is baby?:  5 lbs 1 oz According to our ultrasound on Monday

Stretch marks?: Yes and they itch like crazy!

Maternity clothes?: Tops I need to, bottoms I'm living in pre preg sweats. I really need to place an order with Old Navy

Sleep?: Yes but it's becoming more uncomfortable. I pee every hour on the hour and it's really annoying

Best moment this week?: Getting to see Gumdrop during the ultrasound, it was amazing

Food cravings?: PF Changs, BB Que

Gender?: Mommy's little  (or should I say big) man!

Movement?: Lots of rolling, some punches but mostly he's trying to get comfy.

Belly button?: In

What I miss?: My feet not looking like pigs in a blanket, they are so swollen!

Labor signs?: No...and stay away for a while!

What I'm looking forward to?: Getting his nursery set up (yes we are way behind)

Milestone?: Him being head down! Now hopefully he stays that way!

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

Does anyone remember that kids game show or am I just showing my age?! Anyways sorry for the lack of posts I've been extremely busy! I plan on doing a full recap of the baby shower once I get the pics from my mom. Today I want to share how things have been going with Gumdrop and I. Last Thursday at my O.B. appointment I was told I was measuring ahead. At 32 wks I was measuring 36! Now I've heard of measuring two weeks either way but four weeks out was a little much. So it was some concern from my O.B. and I was scheduled and ultrasound for Monday.

Well I had my ultrasound on Monday, gumdrop looked great and everything was progressing well. The tech estimated that he's 5lbs 1 oz. Now I know these are just estimates but she stated he should only be about 4lbs. Her words were " Well he's at the very top of the chart (growth chart) but hasn't went over yet". I left with a few pictures (which I plan to share at the end) and all was well. Then Saturday after my baby shower we went to the movies to see Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls which was amazing! It was such a good movie, I laughed, cried (like really hard, as if I had lost someone..blame it on pregnancy hormones), was happy and sad. I recommend everyone to go see it! So after we finally got home that night my feet were really swollen. My hubs joked that they looked like a cartoon character! I thought it was because I was so busy that day, and figured they'd go down eventually.

Well here we are today and they are STILL swollen. I called the O.B. out of concern and they asked me to come in (yesterday). I had gained 10 lbs in FIVE DAYS! They said it was due to all the swelling/fluid. Seriously I knew it wasn't from smashing out on food because I hadn't eaten differently then what I normally do and the most I've ever gained is 1-2 lbs a week. I got some blood drawn and here we are today. I'll find out how everything went at my appointment next week. Don't worry I don't have Pre E (knocks on wood) because I was already checked for it two weeks ago and my blood work came back perfect. I pray that I don't develop it anytime soon. My O.B. believes I'm just dealing with typical pregnancy swelling but they want to be on the safe side and recheck my blood.

So readers that's what has been going on! Oh! I almost forget my laptop clunked out on me last week so I'm using my old desktop from college. I haven't used this thing regularly in years! So that's another reason I've been lacking posts. It was just so much easier to post from my couch or bed but now I have to sit on this hard chair which isn't very friendly to my bottom. I leave you with a new picture of Gumdrop doesn't he have the chunkiest cheeks!!

Taking Pregnancy For Granted

Sounds like an oxymoron to some and for others it may be true. Yesterday I learned of three different pregnant ladies I know that are experiencing or had complications recently. The first one was a former co-worker of mines who miscarried at three months. I can't imagine the hurt she's experiencing right now. I know her and her husband had been trying and was soo excited when they learned she was expecting. The second one is a close friend of my aunt who went into early labor and is now on bed rest in the hospital. She and her husband have already suffered a miscarriage so to make it to 32 weeks had really eased their anxiety. Well Monday she went into labor and luckily the hospital was able to stop the labor but now she must remain there until she delivers. Finally the third person I know is experiencing some complications at 22 weeks and is now on bed rest in hopes of the baby cooking longer.

I share their experiences because it makes you realize how blessed you are to have a complication free pregnancy. It surely woke me up to stop complaining about my aches and pains because it could always be worse. I'm thankful that so far the my pregnancy is going well and each day I get closer to my due date is truly a blessing. Sure I've had a few scares but so far all is well (knock on wood). I'm praying for each and everyone of them and ask that you say a little prayer as well. So that's where my head has been at the last few days. I've also been consumed with errands everyday this week. Hopefully I can get another post in before the weekend. Don't worry we'll be back to some sort of normalcy next week!!!

Weekend Fun!

Did you ladies have a great weekend? I sure did! I love Halloween for a few reasons: It's my father and nephew's birthday. I love seeing the little kids and doggies in costumes. Plus I love the candy, decorations, hunted houses etc! Some don't like to celebrate Halloween given it's beginnings but it think it's what you make of it, that's why it's one of my fav holidays!. Sorry I didn't do a Friday survey last week but I'll have on this week. Speaking of the week, boy is this one going to be a busy one! I've officially scheduled something EVERYDAY this week (not on purpose) but it just seemed like everything fell into place that way. I will try my best to make sure I get my posts in! I leave you with a picture of my nephew who turned 2 yesterday. He was a dragon!!!